Method and apparatus for dressing aids

ABSTRACT

An apparatus including a first member which is in the shape of an arc, and a substantially straight pole having a first end and an opposing second end. The first member may include an upper wire frame portion which is in the shape of an arc and which is fixed to the pole, substantially at the second end of the pole. The first member may include a lower wire frame portion which is in the shape of an arc and which is fixed to and substantially aligned with the upper wire frame portion. The first member may be a body portion of a wire hanger. A method is provided including inserting the first member into an interior portion of pants; and pulling the pants towards a person by grasping the pole and pulling the pole towards the person.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerning dressing aids for dressing individuals, particularly individuals with disabilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various devices known in the art for dressing individuals, such as individuals with disabilities.

Dressing aids are generally used to make donning clothes easier. Most dressing aids are devices used to facilitate lower body dressing and are devices that are used to facilitate putting on socks, shoes, skirts, pants and undergarments. They are used by individuals who are unable to bend in order to insert their feet into and through the leg openings of pants, undergarments, or a skirt, or are unable to bend down to put their socks or shoes on due to limited joint mobility or muscle weakness due to illness or injury.

Known devices that may be described as “reachers”, “grippers” and “dressing sticks” are common known dressing aids which are currently on the market for use of such individuals who may need assistance in dressing or may have the ability to dress independently with the use of an appropriate assistive device or dressing aid. “Reachers” and “grippers” are commonly devices comprised of a handle with a manual trigger, a shaft and a “clamp” or “jaw”. “Dressing sticks” usually are comprised of a handle with a manual trigger, a shaft and a “clamp” or “jaw”. “Dressing sticks” usually are comprised of a pole with a “hook” attached to one end and a handle at the other end of the pole and are used by some to help pull-up pants legs and pull socks in place or push socks off for doffing.

Reaching devices and gripping devices are commonly used to retrieve lightweight items from a floor or top shelves, and areas that are beyond the normal reach of an individual. These devices have later been modified to assist individuals with limited flexibility of their back hips or knees in donning and doffing socks and shoes. These dressing aids, including the modified “reachers” and “grippers” noted above, have been developed for a variety of specific uses: long-handled shoe horns to help individuals who cannot bend from the waist; plastic sleeves with strings to assist in putting on socks and stockings. Other dressing aids include strings attached to clips which are attached to the person's pants in order to pull a person's pants up.

Known dressing aids, such as for example, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,932 to Keller, U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,604 to Shoreview Dr. et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,889 to Liden, U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,156 to Lawrence et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,171 to McMullan, U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,637 to Hsu, U.S. Pat. No. 2,628,007 to Meting et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,316 to George et al. U.S. published patent application no. 2005/0205619 to Morel discloses another dressing aid as does Whitlaw, U.S. published application no. 2009/0039118, published Feb. 12, 2009.

Most of these known dressing aids are used together in combination to complete dressing. For example: An individual with difficulty bending may use a reacher/gripper to hang or suspend his pants and lower it to the level of his feet to initiate lower body dressing, but the waist of the pants or skirt will typically be collapsed and hanging diagonally toward the floor. The individual may need to reach down with his or her other hand or use another-dressing device, perhaps a dressing stick, to widen the opening on the waist of the pants in order to slide his or her feet into the pants and perform lower body dressing. Use of these dressing aids whether individually or in combination require adequate eye-hand coordination, finger dexterity or hand grip and pinch grip strength in order to attach the clothes to the device and then to manipulate these devices. Some known devices require the use of both hands in order to pull up the garments up to the level of the individual's knees.

Clothes hangers are devices which may be made of wood, plastic or wire designed to facilitate the hanging of a coat, blouse, shirt, dress, or pants. Known wire hangers are shown in U.S. Pat. No. D429,571 to Miko, U.S. Pat. No. 2,877,939 to Dolnick et. al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,426 to Okiyama. Some wire hangers have been modified to provide better support and non-slip characteristics to prevent slippage of garments from the hanger device, such as for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,458,997 to Levine, U.S. Pat. No. 2,448,282 to Schmitt, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,710,124 to Kessler. There are also some known modified-hangers with extended handles to accommodate persons with disabilities or handicaps such as for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,237 to Timbrook, U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,233 to Brickhouse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of one or more embodiments of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and/or method used to assist and allow persons who present with limited joint mobility or muscle weakness, resulting in difficulty in performing their activities of daily living (ADL's), such as dressing, or more specifically, lower body dressing, to put their clothes on independently or with little assistance from another individual or a caregiver, and improve their quality of life.

One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to improved methods and apparatus concerning adaptive equipment for dressing or dressing aids. In at least one embodiment, an apparatus is provided to assist individuals and facilitate the action of putting on a garment for the lower body, such as, in particular, pants, a skirt, or an undergarment.

One or more embodiments of the present invention allow for use of a single device alone in order to pull up pants, skirt or undergarments and eliminates the need for additional dressing tools or aids in order to complete lower body dressing.

One or more embodiments of the present invention comprise a (plastic coated) wire hanger that is connected to a long shaft which may consist of plastic or metal and a handle connected to the top of the shaft for easy handling and this device is specifically used as a tool to hang or position lower body garments such as pants, skirts, or undergarments next to an individual's feet and create and maintain opening of the garment so that the individual is able to insert his feet into the garment hole, and, subsequently, by pulling it up using the long handle, will be enabled to pull up said garment to an optimal position for donning or fastening in order to complete their lower body dressing. The handle may be lined with foam or rubber for easier handling even for individuals with limited grip. The top end of the handle may form a ring, or may be connected to a loop of wire, hook, or a loop of string for easy storage.

One or more embodiments of the present invention will enable an individual to put their pants, skirt or undergarments on without bending over. One or more embodiments improve the quality of life of individuals with physical disability or joint limitations by increasing their level of independence in dressing.

In at least one embodiment, a dressing aid is provided which includes an upper end, a shaft, and a lower end that is a plastic coated wire hanger and may thus be used to hold or hang the pants or skirt or undergarments down to the floor or to the level of the persons foot in order to insert the feet into the garment hole and hold and pull the garment up toward his knees while the person is weaving his foot through the pant holes.

In at least one embodiment, the shaft may be cylindrical (tubular) or flat for easy handling of individuals with limited grasp.

In at least one embodiment, a wire hanger is provided which is flexible and can be bent to a curved shape to make a bigger opening at the waist of the garment and increase the space to allow for easy gliding of the device and pants or undergarment over the person's legs.

In at least one embodiment, the long shaft/or long handle of the present invention allows for the person to place the pull his pants or skirt or undergarments with the use of one hand up to the level of his thighs just above the knees. This is especially useful for individuals who have limited range of motion, incoordination, or muscle weakness of their spine, upper extremities or lower extremities.

One or more embodiments of the present invention may be easy to use, lightweight, and easy to carry.

One or more embodiments of the present invention may provide a dressing aid made substantially of or entirely plastic, or metal or wood, which may be inexpensive to manufacture.

In one or more embodiments, a hanger is provided with outside tips, wherein the outside tips of the hanger are lined with rubber or non slip material useful for keeping the garment from sliding off the device during use. The rubber or non slip material may be as provided in U.S. Pat. No. 2,458,997 Levine which is incorporated herein by reference.

In at least one embodiment, a top side of angled tips of the dressing aid may be lined with a rubber band or rubber material or any non-slip material to help hold the pants or skirt in place.

A dressing aid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention allows for easy sliding of a person's foot and leg into pants, skirts, or undergarments.

In at least one embodiment, a foam or rubber pad, foam or rubber handle or foam or rubber grip rubber may be provided which is easy to hold, even for individuals with arthritis who have limited grip or grasp. The device may be easily used in sitting position and may even be used in standing position by someone with good standing balance.

The top end of the dressing aid handle may include an attached string, a hook, or a circular opening substantially forming a ring which can be hung up for easy storage. In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus comprising a dressing aid. The dressing aid may have a substantially straight shaft which may be twelve to thirty inches long and have a portion substantially shaped like a triangle (wire hanger) which may have a lower bar base which may measure from eleven to twenty inches long. It may include a handle connected to the top of the shaft which may be three to six inches long.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a wire which may be eight to twelve gauge heavy duty metal, such as steel, or aluminum which may be covered or lined entirely by plastic for safety and to prevent rusting of the metal wire.

In one or more embodiments, because of the flexibility of the wire hanger, it may be bent into the shape of an arc to create a wide opening of the garment waist to allow easy entry of the feet through the garment.

The side angles may also be bent downward so that the bracket of the device is shaped like an arc to create a oval shaped opening on the garment waist. In addition, because of the flexible nature of the hanger piece of the device, it is easily bent into a shape that is more appropriate for the size of the individuals garment and leg size. (similar to U.S. Pat. No. 2,458,997 to Levine, which is incorporated by reference.

In at least one embodiment, a plastic coated wire may be provided which may be still further be lined with plastic or rubber tubing or foam for those individuals who have fragile skin or are diabetic in order to prevent potential skin tear or injury during use of said device.

In at least one embodiment, rubber lining strips spanning from top wire to bottom wire on either side of the device are additional non slip materials to keep garment from sliding off the device while being used, and to add strength to the device and to maintain its shape during and after repeated use.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus which may include a first member which is in the shape of an arc, and a substantially straight pole having a first end and an opposing second end. The first member may be fixed to the pole, substantially at the second end of the pole. The first member may include an upper wire frame portion which is in the shape of an arc and which is fixed to the pole, substantially at the second end of the pole. The first member may include a lower wire frame portion which is in the shape of an arc and which is fixed to and substantially aligned with the upper wire frame portion. The first member may be a body portion of a wire hanger. The arc of the first member may have a radius of curvature which is in the range of four to twelve inches inclusive. The first member may be fixed substantially at the second end of the pole at substantially a ninety degree angle with respect to the pole. The second end of the pole may be fixed substantially to a center of the first member.

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a method comprising inserting a first member into an interior portion of pants. The first member may be as previously described. The method may also include pulling the pants towards a person by grasping the pole and pulling the pole towards the person, while the first member is inserted in the interior portion of the pants; and placing the pants on the person's body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front, top, right side perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a rear, bottom, left side perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the apparatus of FIG. 1 inserted into a pair of pants and a person holding the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the person standing up; and

FIG. 6 shows a diagram of the apparatus of FIG. 1 inserted into the pair of pants of FIG. 5, with a person holding the apparatus of FIG. 1, and with the person seated in a chair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front, top, right side perspective view of an apparatus 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a rear, bottom, left side perspective view of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a front view of the apparatus 1. FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the apparatus 1.

The apparatus 1 includes a portion 2, a cap 4, a pole 6, a cap 8, and a bracket 10. The pole 6 may be substantially or entirely made of metal, plastic or a combination of both. The bracket 10 includes portions 12 a and 12 b, portions 14 a and 14 b, portions 16 a and 16 b, portions 18 a and 18 b, portions 20 a and 20 b, and portion 22. The bracket 10 also includes, or has attached thereto, members 24 a and 24 b, and members 26 a and 26 b.

The bracket 10 may be made substantially or entirely from metal, such as a metal used for a wire clothes hanger. The bracket 10 is fixed to the cap 8 at locations 8 a and 8 b, so that the bracket 10 cannot move or rotate with respect to the cap 8 or with respect to the pole 6. The caps 8 and 4 are fixed to the pole 6 so that they cannot move or rotate with respect to the pole 6.

The portion 2 may be a string or rope or a hook attached to the cap 4 and may rotate with respect to the cap 4. The members 24 a-b and 26 a-b may be made of rubber or a non slip material. The members 26 a and 26 b may be used to increase the strength of the bracket 10. The cap 4 may be made of foam, or may be replaced by a foam or plastic handle.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of the apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 inserted into a pair of pants 120 and a person 100 holding the apparatus 1. In operation, a person 100 may grab the apparatus 1 by the cap or handle 4 with the person's hand 104. The person 100 may then insert the bracket 10 into a chamber 122 of the pants 120. The bracket 10 may be inserted just inside a waist portion 124 of the pants 120. The person 100 may then lift the hand 104 upwards in the direction U, while holding the apparatus 1 by the handle 4, or near an end 1 a of the apparatus 1, and while the bracket 10 is inserted further into the chamber 122 of the pants 120, thereby lifting the pants 120. The person 100 may then insert one leg, such as leg 112 into pants leg 126 and then the other leg 114 into pants leg 128, while the bracket 10 is inserted into the chamber 122 of the pants 120. After the person 100 has inserted his or her legs 112 and 114 into the pants 120, the person 100 may remove the bracket 10 from the chamber 122 of the pants 120. The apparatus 1 and the bracket 10 may be used to pull up the pants 120 after the legs 112 and 114 have been inserted into the pant legs 126 and 128.

Alternatively, the apparatus 1 and the bracket 10 may be used to merely lift up the pants 120 so that the person 100 does not have to bend down to pick up the pants 120, and then the person 100 can remove the pants 120 from the bracket 10 and then put the pants 120 on the person 100. The apparatus 1 allows the person 100 to pick up pants 120 and other clothing without bending down. The apparatus 1 can be used to pick up pants 120 or other clothing from a standing or sitting position, such as a sitting position in a chair.

In operation the apparatus 1 can be used as an aid to help an individual, such as 100 to dress himself or herself. For example, the apparatus 1 can be inserted with the curve of portion 22 of bracket 10, shown in FIG. 1 facing down into a waist, hole or chamber of a garment, such as into chamber 122 of pants 120, to hang a garment, such as pants 120 onto apparatus 1. In at least one embodiment, the garment, such as pants 120, can be lowered to a floor next to an individual's feet, such as next to feet 112 a and 114 a of person 100 in FIG. 5. It is highly recommended that the person holds onto a stable/sturdy surface such as a chair, a desk, or counter, with one hand, for safety, stability and balance while holding the device with his other hand. The foot 112 a may next be placed into the garment hole, waist, or chamber such as into chamber 122 of pants 120. The garment, such as pants 120 may next be pulled up to the level of a person's knees using the apparatus 1, by gripping the apparatus 1 by end 1 a with a person's hand and lifting up in the direction U shown in FIG. 5, while the person is moving his foot down through the pant leg 126 until his foot 112 a comes out of the lower opening 126 a of the pant leg 126 so that his foot may be planted securely on the floor. The pant leg 128 may have a lower opening 128 a. The person may do the same with the other foot 114 a. After the person has inserted both his legs 112 and 114 through the pant legs 126 and 128, and both his feet 112 a and 114 a are planted securely on the floor, then the apparatus 1 may next be taken out of the garment, such as pants 120 or the person 100 may continue the task by pulling the garment or pants 120 past both hips and to waist of person 100, such as just past location 116 shown in FIG. 5, to complete lower body dressing of the person 100.

FIG. 6 shows a diagram of the apparatus 1 inserted into the pair of pants 120 and a person 200 holding the apparatus 1, with the person 200 seated in a chair 300. The chair 300 may be any type of chair, and may have legs 304 and 306 and additional legs not shown. The chair 300 may have a seat portion 302 and a back portion 308. The person 200 may have a central portion, mid portion, or rear end 220 which may be seated on the seat portion 302 of the chair 300.

Referring to FIG. 6, in operation, the person 200 may grab the apparatus 1 by the cap or handle 4 with a hand 208 of the person 200. The person 200 may then insert the bracket 10 into a chamber 122 of the pants 120. The bracket 10 may be inserted just inside a waist portion 124 of the pants 120. While sitting in the chair 300, the person 200 may then insert a foot 212 a and a leg 212 of the person 200 into the pants leg 128 of the pants 120 and another leg (not shown) of the person 200 into the pants leg 126. The person 200, while sitting in the chair 300, may then pull the apparatus 1 in the direction D1, towards the person 200, to fully put the pants 120 on the legs 212 (and another leg not shown) and pull it up toward the middle portion 220 of the person 200, or somewhat above the middle portion 220 or below as desired by the person 200. The person 200 may need to shift their weight to one side or lift one side of their body, such as the side with the right leg 212 off of the seat portion 302, while putting the pants 120 on that side of their body, while the other side of their body (with the leg opposite 212) is seated in seat portion 302. Similarly, the person 200 may need to lift the side with the leg opposite leg 212, while putting pants 120 on that side of their body, while the other side of their body, with leg 212 is seated in seat portion 302.

After the person 200 has inserted his or her legs 212 and the leg opposite not shown into the pants 120, the person 100 may remove the bracket 10 from the chamber 122 of the pants 120. The apparatus 1 and the bracket 10 may be used to pull up the pants 120 after the legs 212 and the leg opposite 212 (not shown) have been inserted into the pant legs 126 and 128.

Alternatively, the apparatus 1 and the bracket 10 may be used to merely lift up the pants 120 so that the person 200 does not have to bend down to pick up the pants 120, and then the person 200 can remove the pants 120 from the bracket 10 and then put the pants 120 on the person 200. The apparatus 1 allows the person 200 to pick up pants 120 and other clothing without bending down. The apparatus 1 can be used to pick up pants 120 or other clothing from a standing or sitting position, such as a sitting position in a chair.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art. 

1. An apparatus comprising a first member which is in the shape of an arc; and a substantially straight pole having a first end and an opposing second end; wherein the first member is fixed to the pole, substantially at the second end of the pole; wherein the first member includes an upper wire frame portion which is in the shape of a first arc and which is fixed to the pole, substantially at the second end of the pole; wherein the first member includes a lower wire frame portion which is in the shape of a second arc and which is fixed to and substantially aligned with the upper wire frame portion; wherein the first member is fixed to the pole in a manner which forms a closed loop comprised of the upper wire frame portion and the lower wire frame portion; wherein the first member is in the form of a bent triangular shape wherein the bent triangular shape has a first vertex, a second vertex, and a third vertex, the first vertex fixed to the second end of the pole; wherein the shape of the first arc of the upper wire frame portion has a first end at which is located the second vertex and an opposing second end at which is located the third vertex; wherein the shape of the second arc of the lower wire frame portion has a first end at which is located the second vertex and an opposing second end at which is located the third vertex; wherein the shape of the first arc is cut substantially in two by the first vertex; wherein the pole is elongated having a length and a width, with its length substantially greater than its width; wherein the first arc lies substantially in a plane which is at an angle with respect to the length of the pole; and wherein the second arc lies substantially in a plane which is at an angle with respect to the length of the pole.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first member is a bent triangular shaped portion of a wire hanger.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the arc of the first member has a radius of curvature which is in the range of four to twelve inches inclusive.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first member is fixed substantially at the second end of the pole at substantially a ninety degree angle with respect to the pole.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second end of the pole is fixed substantially to a center of the first member.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the first member is a bent triangular shaped portion of a wire hanger.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first member is a bent triangular shaped portion of a wire hanger.
 8. A method comprising inserting a first member into an interior portion of pants, so that the first member is within the interior portion of the pants and substantially surrounded by the interior portion of the pants; wherein the first member is in the shape of an arc; the first member is fixed to a substantially straight pole having a first end and an opposing second end; wherein the first member is fixed to the pole substantially at the second end; wherein the first member includes an upper wire frame portion which is in the shape of an arc and which is fixed to the pole, substantially at the second end of the pole; and wherein the first member includes a lower wire frame portion which is in the shape of an arc and which is fixed to and substantially aligned with the upper wire frame portion; and further comprising: pulling the pants towards a person by grasping the pole and pulling the pole towards person, while the first member is inserted in the interior portion of the pants; and placing the pants on the person's body by inserting a leg of the person into the interior portion of the pants so that the person's leg is within the interior portion of the pants and substantially surrounded by the interior portion of the pants.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein the first member is a bent triangular shaped portion of a wire hanger.
 10. The method of claim 8 wherein the arc of the first member has a radius of curvature which is in the range of four to twelve inches inclusive.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein the first member is fixed substantially at the second end of the pole at substantially a ninety degree angle with respect to the pole.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein the second end of the pole is fixed substantially to a center of the first member.
 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the first member is a bent triangular shaped portion of a wire hanger.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the first member is a bent triangular shaped portion of a wire hanger.
 15. The method of claim 8 wherein the pole has an outer diameter in the range of about one half to one inch.
 16. An apparatus comprising a first member which is in the shape of an arc; and a substantially straight pole having a first end and an opposing second end; wherein the first member is fixed to the pole, substantially at the second end of the pole; wherein the first member includes an upper wire frame portion which is in the shape of an arc and which is fixed to the pole, substantially at the second end of the pole; wherein the first member includes a lower wire frame portion which is in the shape of an arc and which is fixed to and substantially aligned with the upper wire frame portion; wherein the pole is elongated, having a length and a width, with the length substantially greater than the width; wherein there is a closest distance, in a direction parallel to the length of the pole, between the second end of the pole and the lower wire frame portion; wherein the length of the pole is substantially greater than the closest distance, in the direction parallel to the length of the pole, between the second end of the pole and the lower wire frame portion; and wherein the upper wire frame portion and the lower wire frame portion together form a substantially triangular shape.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a second member having a first end connected to the upper wire frame portion and a second end connected to the lower wire frame portion; and wherein the second member is made of a substantially non slip material.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising a third member having a first end connected to the upper wire frame portion and a second end connected to the lower wire frame portion; and wherein the third member is made of a substantially non slip material.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pole is elongated, having a length and a width, with the length substantially greater than the width; wherein there is a closest distance, in a direction parallel to the length of the pole, between the second end of the pole and the lower wire frame portion; and wherein the length of the pole is substantially greater than the closest distance, in the direction parallel to the length of the pole, between the second end of the pole and the lower wire frame portion.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 further comprising a second member having a first end connected to the upper wire frame portion and a second end connected to the lower wire frame portion; and wherein the second member is made of a substantially non slip material. 